Remote control circuit breaker

Abstract

An electric circuit breaker capable of being opened and closed from a remote location. The circuit breaker includes a stationary contact, a movable contact mounted on a carrier and a trip mechanism that trips the circuit breaker, moving the carrier to an open position upon the occurrence of an overcurrent. The remote control assembly opens and closes the circuit breaker independently of the trip mechanism. Upon receiving a signal from a timer switch, a motor operates, rotating a gear spring connected to the motor shaft. An actuator has a tooth positioned between the wire layers of the gear spring. As the gear spring rotates, the tooth moves toward the motor, pivoting the actuator. An operating rod, connected to both the actuator and the carrier, pulls the carrier to open the contacts as the actuator rotates. When the contacts reach the open position, the actuator hits a switch to shut off the motor.

We claim: 
     
       1. A switch for connection to a circuit for remote opening and closing of the circuit, said switch comprising: a first contact;   a second contact having a closed position wherein said second contact touches said first contact, said second contact having an open position wherein said second contact is positioned a distance from said first contact, said second contact being movable between the closed position and the open position;   a carrier connected to said second contact for moving said second contact between the closed position and the open position;   an operating handle connected to said carrier, said handle being manually movable to cause said carrier to move said second contact between the closed position and the open position;   a motor activated by a signal received from a remote location, said motor having a shaft that rotates upon the motor being activated; and   transfer means for transferring the motor shaft rotation to cause said carrier to move said second contact between the closed position and the open position independently of the movement of said handle.   
     
     
       2. A switch as claimed in claim 1 additionally comprising a trip mechanism connected to said second contact to move said second contact to the open position upon the occurrence of an overcurrent, said trip mechanism operating independently of said motor. 
     
     
       3. A switch as claimed in claim 1 wherein said transfer means comprises a helix connected to said motor shaft to rotate in response to said motor activation; and   an actuator connected to said helix and connected to said second contact to move said second contact in response to the rotation of said helix.   
     
     
       4. A switch as claimed in claim 3 additionally comprising a switch mechanically connected to said actuator and electrically connected to said motor, said switch deactivating said motor in response to the movement of said actuator. 
     
     
       5. A switch as claimed in claim 3 wherein said actuator rotates about a pivot in response to the rotation of said helix. 
     
     
       6. A circuit breaker comprising: a first contact;   a movable contact having an open position and a closed position, wherein in the open position said movable contact is a distance away from said first contact, and in the closed position said movable contact is in contact with said first contact, said movable contact being movable between the open position and the closed position;   a trip mechanism connected with said movable contact to move said movable contact to the open position upon the occurrence of an overcurrent through the circuit breaker;   a motor operating upon receiving a signal from a remote location;   and remote transfer means connected to said motor and to said movable contact for moving said movable contact between the open position and the closed position upon the activation of said motor, wherein said movable contact is farther from said first contact when in the open position as a result of said trip mechanism operation than when in the open position as a result of said remote transfer means operation.   
     
     
       7. A circuit breaker as claimed in claim 6 wherein said motor operates in a first direction to move the movable contact to the open position upon receiving a first signal from a remote location and said motor operates in a second direction upon receiving a second signal from a remote location to move the movable contact to the closed position. 
     
     
       8. A circuit breaker as claimed in claim 6 additionally comprising a switch electrically connected to said motor and mechanically connected to said movable contact, wherein said switch shuts off said motor upon said movable contact reaching the open position. 
     
     
       9. A circuit breaker as claimed in claim 6 also comprising a shaft extending from said motor, wherein said remote transfer means comprises an operating rod connected to said movable contact and to said motor shaft. 
     
     
       10. A circuit breaker as claimed in claim 9 wherein said motor shaft comprises a helical element. 
     
     
       11. A circuit breaker as claimed in claim 10 wherein said helical element is a coil rotating simultaneously with the operation of the motor. 
     
     
       12. A circuit breaker comprising: a first contact;   a movable contact having an open position and a closed position, wherein in the open position said movable contact is a distance away from said first contact, and in the closed position said movable contact is in contact with said first contact, said movable contact being movable between the open position and the closed position;   a trip mechanism connected with said movable contact to move said movable contact to the open position upon the occurrence of an overcurrent through the circuit breaker;   a motor operating in a first direction upon receiving a first signal from a remote location;   a shaft extending from said motor, said shaft comprising a coil rotating simultaneously with said motor;   an operating rod connected to said motor shaft and to said movable contact for moving said movable contact to the open position upon the activation of said motor;   and an override element including a seat for said coil, whereupon said coil releases said operating rod to allow said movable contact to return to the closed position in response to said movable contact being held open by said operating rod and said override element being operated.   
     
     
       13. A circuit breaker as claimed in claim 11 wherein said coil is connected to said motor shaft by a torsional fit. 
     
     
       14. A circuit breaker comprising: a first contact;   a movable contact having an open position and a closed position, wherein in the open position said movable contact is a distance away from said first contact, and in the closed position said movable contact is in contact with said first contact, said movable contact being movable between the open position and the closed position;   a trip mechanism connected with said movable contact to move said movable contact to the open position upon the occurrence of an overcurrent through the circuit breaker;   a motor having a shaft, said motor operating upon receiving a signal from a remote location;   and an operating rod connected with said movable contact and with said motor shaft, said operating rod moving in a direction approximately parallel to said motor shaft to move said movable contact between the open position and the closed position.   
     
     
       15. A circuit breaker as claimed in claim 14 wherein said motor shaft comprises a helical element. 
     
     
       16. A circuit breaker as claimed in claim 15 wherein said helical element is a coil rotating simultaneously with the operation of the motor. 
     
     
       17. A circuit breaker as claimed in claim 14 wherein the movable contact is farther from the first contact when in the open position as a result of the trip mechanism operation than when in the open position as a result of the remote transfer means operation.